Pitso warns Teko, non-starters
The issue came to a head when the coach was quizzed over Teko Modise's inclusion in the squad that will travel to Sierra Leone for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie.
Modise, who has been under fire from fans and the media alike, seems to have lost his place in the Orlando Pirates team.
Mosimane enjoys a good relationship with Modise and although 'Jingles' ostensibly came out in defence of the midfielder, he conceded he was keeping tabs on whether players were playing regular football.Even though Modise did not form part of the Buccaneers squad that won the MTN8 final, Mosimane intimated that 'The Navigator' would feature this weekend.
"I will be honest with you, I wish I was taking Kagisho Dikgacoi to Freetown, but he hasn't been playing at his club (Fulham) and I can't take him," Mosimane said.
"But the fact that Teko didn't play doesn't affect my plans, not really. It doesn't mean if a player misses one game it is a problem. Bernard Parker also didn't play but I can tell you Bernard Parker is going to play on Sunday. Teko missed one game the same as Bernard. I'm not saying Teko will play. I hope you understand what I'm saying... it is not a concern for me that he missed one game. I can't panic, that's what I'm saying," Mosimane said.
However, the former SuperSport United coach added a word of caution to those who are failing to command regular places at their respective clubs.
"I'm not promoting that it is fine when players are missing games at their clubs and yet come to Bafana Bafana. We are monitoring these things and we cannot allow it to go on week in and week out and I come here and tell you I support that specific player, no, it has to stop at a particular point. I'm monitoring these things," he said.
Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena said Mosimane's job could be made more comfortable if Bafana players were starters at their clubs.
"We must make the coach's job easier by performing at our clubs... we have to play all the time to make sure he's got options when he selects his team," Mokoena added.
Source - Sport24.co,za
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